INCISED SIX-CHARACTER YUNJIAN HU WENMING ZHI MARK, LATE MING DYNASTY

Hu Wenming is considered one of the most accomplished craftsmen of the late Ming dynasty. The shape of the incense burner is inspired by an archaic bronze vessel, gui, dating to the Shang or Zhou dynasty. While most examples of his works are commonly decorated with fantastic animals drawn from the 'Classic of Mountains and Seas', Shan Hai Jing, the current example is rare in that it is decorated with the Eight Buddhist Emblems and could have been commissioned by a devout Buddhist scholar. Compare an example decorated with mythical beasts sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 27 November 2017, lot 8117.